We are saddened to hear the demise of legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, who spent half a century putting high society in haute couture. The world gives much significance to fashion.

Something else, however, is more important than fashion. And this is what supports the dress, of what is inside: the intimacy of the person. What is more valuable than the dress is the inner beauty – the compassion, truth, modesty, humility, …all the good qualities that are within us. It makes us radiate an aura of goodness, of holiness. And this is what makes us beautiful.

People underestimate their inner beauty maybe because of the strong influence of media and fashion designers who place so much importance on the exterior. Outer beauty may attract, but inner beauty captivates. As Audrey Hepburn states, “…true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul…” When we live in the state of grace (when we are not in mortal sin and in good relationship with God), we actually possess an aura that far exceeds any fashion statement.